As we mark World Pneumonia Day today (Nov 12, 2025), health experts are sounding the alarm about this lung infection that still claims lives every 45 seconds globally. 🚨
👶👴 Why Are the Young & Elderly at Risk?
Children under 5 and adults over 65 remain most vulnerable in 2025. Their developing/aging immune systems struggle against pneumonia's top causes:
🦠 Bacteria (like pneumococcus)
🦠 Viruses (RSV, flu, COVID variants)
🦠 Fungi
💡 Prevention Tips for All Ages
Beijing Children's Hospital experts recommend:
💉 Stay updated on vaccines (PCV, flu shots)
🚭 Avoid smoking/vaping
🤧 Practice cough etiquette
🍎 Boost nutrition – especially zinc & vitamin A
With RSV cases rising this year, doctors emphasize early symptom recognition: watch for rapid breathing (≥40 breaths/min in adults) and rust-colored phlegm.
🌍 Global Progress & Challenges
While China's pneumonia mortality rate stands at 12.7/100,000 (per CDC data), low-income countries still face disproportionate impacts. New rapid-test kits and AI-assisted X-ray analysis are helping doctors diagnose faster in 2025.
